Purpose
Revision lumbar surgery following posterior decompression is technically challenging because epidural adhesions and altered anatomy increase the risk of complications during posterior re-entry. Surgical approaches that avoid the previously operated corridor may reduce these risks. Biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion using an extraforaminal approach allows direct neural decompression and interbody fusion through a new surgical corridor, which may be advantageous in revision settings. However, clinical evidence regarding this technique in revision surgery remains limited. To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of biportal endoscopic revision extraforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (BE-REFLIF) performed at lumbar segments previously treated with central decompression.
Materials and Methods
This study is Single-center retrospective case series.We retrospectively reviewed 20 consecutive patients who underwent single-level BE-REFLIF as revision surgery after prior central decompression between September 2017 and June 2024. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for back and leg pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). Radiological outcomes included disc height, segmental alignment, lumbar lordosis, fusion status, and cage subsidence. Perioperative data and postoperative complications were also analyzed.
Results
Significant improvements were observed in all clinical outcome measures during follow-up. Mean VAS scores for back and leg pain and ODI decreased significantly over time (p < 0.001). Radiological analysis demonstrated significant restoration of disc height, improvement in segmental alignment, and maintenance of lumbar lordosis. Solid fusion was achieved in 85% of patients at the final follow-up, and cage subsidence occurred in 25% of cases without the need for reoperation. Perioperative complications included dural tears in 10% of patients, epidural hematoma in 5%, and surgical site infection in 5%, with no instrumentation-related failures.
Conclusions
Biportal endoscopic revision extraforaminal lumbar interbody fusion demonstrated favorable clinical and radiological outcomes in patients undergoing revision surgery after previous central decompression. By utilizing an extraforaminal corridor that avoids scarred posterior tissues, BE-REFLIF allows effective direct decompression and interbody fusion with an acceptable complication profile. This technique may represent a viable and less invasive option for selected patients requiring revision lumbar fusion.